The Nestorians and their Rituals/Volume 2/Chapter 15
CHAPTER XV.
OF THE JUSTIFICATION OF MAN.
"We are accounted righteous before God, only for the merit of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ by Faith, and not for our own works or deservings; Wherefore, that we are justified by faith only is a most wholesome doctrine, and very full of comfort, as more largely is expressed in the Homily of Justification."—Article XI.
§ 1. "Behold I declare unto you glad tidings: if the thief entered into paradise, how can he who truly believes on the Son be prevented from entering therein?" From the Warda, on "our father Adam."
§ 2. "Two thieves were crucified with Him who is the heavenly treasure: the one on the right hand would not give up thievingj and in his last theft he stole the paradise of Eden when he cried out and besought, saying: 'Remember me, O Lord my Saviour, who forgivest sins,—remember me when Thou comest in Thy kingdom with great glory, with all the holy angels, since I confess that Thou art God.'" From the service appointed in the Khudhra for Easter Eve.
§ 3. "Bear in mind, thou prudent one, how that man was raised from frailty, and how through faith in Christ he has become an inheritor of the kingdom of heaven which passeth not away." From the Khamees, "on Repentance."
§ 4. "None can stand at Thy door and return away empty but he who is without faith. By faith Zaccheus welcomed Thee into his house, and by faith the thief received from Thee the keys of the kingdom. And behold Thy Church now standeth at Thy door and supplicates Thee day and night; accept her, O Lord, for to Thee she lifteth up her voice, and be merciful to her." From the collects at the end of the Khudhra appointed for particular occasions.
§ 5. "It is our reliance upon Thy mercies, O Lord, which stirreth us up to pray for forgiveness from Thee. Not that we deserve forgiveness, O Lord; but because, in Thy overflowing mercy. Thou dost justify freely all those who call upon Thee," From the service appointed in the Khudhra for the Tuesday nocturns of the Baootha d'Ninwâyé.
§ 6. "Jesus said unto her, 'Go in peace, thy sins be forgiven thee, thy faith hath saved thee, and a great grace has had compassion upon thee, and made thee an example to the penitent.' Listen, therefore, thou unbelieving man, and acquire to thyself a believing mind which gives life and forgiveness, and confess that He is God." From the Warda, on "Mary the Sinner."
§ 7. "Repentant in my thoughts I call upon Thee, O Thou Physician who healest gratuitously, that as Thou didst create me out of nothing; so, in Thy grace, heal Thou my misdeeds, since I cannot attain unto salvation, even by my repentance, unless Thou dost help me." From the service appointed in the Khudhra for the third Wednesday of Lent.
§ 8. "O Thou just Judge who dost justify freely, unto Thee do I declare all my short-comings. Give me, therefore, whiteness of face on the day of judgment, through the mercies which sent Thee to our race, and have mercy upon me." From the collects at the end of the Khudhra.
I shall withhold any remarks on the doctrine of justification by faith until the following article has been considered.